1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL

Summary:

Should have tried harder to make it better

Faults:

When I first bought it the dealer had to put a new computer in it for the transmission. Luckily HE had to pay for that.

I just had to have a front brake job. Although the brakes have never worked right. Sometimes it acts like I don't have any, especially when backing up.

The steering shakes and vibrates. Alignments and new tires helped none.

The heater has a mind of it's own. Wants to turn on when I turn it off or vice versa.

General Comments:

Overall, I enjoy driving the car and have had very good luck with Olds. It is not a very comfortable car and not good for long trips. I am seriously thinking of trading it in before I encountered any "real" problems with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th August, 2003

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL

Summary:

Great car, no serious problems during 79,000+ miles, sorry to see it retired

Faults:

Anyone encounter the "TRAC LOW" indicator becoming overly sensitive?

Just recently, "TRAC LOW" goes on when I come to a normal stop, and does not turn of until I start moving again. Never did this previously.

Any traction control experts out there?

General Comments:

Great car! Only a few problems which were correct in-warranty. However, warranty period was quite short at the time (3yr, 36000 miles).

Definitely a car that was a great performer for the first 4 years. But, sell soon after that 4th year or so.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th August, 2003

22nd Jul 2004, 12:07

I too have an over sensitive trac control light, and I have replaced the wheel bearing and it went out for a couple of weeks. Now its on all the time. Oh well.. that OLDS for ya.

24th Jan 2005, 21:21

I also bought a used intrigue from a friend knows another friend selling it. Anyway I also had the Trac light on occasionally especially when brake applies or over pot holes. I found a speed sensor wire near the left front wheel was rusty and every time I turned or hit the pot holes, the rusted wire touched the body (grounded) then the Trac light stay lid. It was an easy fix and the light was off ever since.

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS 3.8 V6

Summary:

For $26,000 with employee GM discount it wasn't worth the buy

Faults:

At 11000 miles rotors were warped.

At 49000 miles the car needed a new steering rack.

Currently car (at 49251 miles) is still vibrating like crazy with all new rotors and all new brake pads.

General Comments:

The interior of the car is nice and great for long rides.

The engine is an old reliable engine compared to the 3.5 twin cam.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th June, 2003

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 3.8 Series II V6

Summary:

Classy looking small-family car

Faults:

I can honestly say that nothing has "gone wrong" with it during the year I've owned it, but this is not to say it hasn't needed attention.

See "General comments".

General Comments:

The only thing it needed when I bought it used was tires. Unfortunately the factory tires were out of the question as they were far too expensive.

The "Yahtzee Rattle" took a while to get used to in the beginning. I've been told that it's just the anti-lock brakes testing themselves at start-up. Every once and a while the test does not sound like it completes and the brake/anti-brake warning lights stay on. This is not a big deal as all I need do is put the car in park, shut it off, and restart it to let the test run again.

The moon roof slides so far back that it can be hard to close. It won't close on it's own by the motor so you end up having to pull on it by hand to get it to release.

Getting the car into first gear is a bit tricky as the boot wants to limit you to second.

The balance/fader and treble/bass knobs were broken when I bought mine. They were still in place. But they do not work all the functions they are supposed to work.

The spoiler looks as if it were installed aftermarket or at the dealer (not the best looking workmanship). And the paint, or at least the clear-coat, has begun to fade away.

The interior trim looks like what you'd expect to find in a entry-level car. Since I bought it used, I don't have a problem with it, but had I bought this new, I'd be quite disappointed.

It looks sportier than it is, but it holds its own on the freeway. Don't try to take any mountain roads or valley tours at high speeds, it just doesn't have the suspension for "sport driving". Which is funny, because it rides like a sportier car, i.e. it can be harsh on the bumps and potholes. The motor is sufficient to move you along and pass other cars with ease. I have no complaints about the transmission.

The six speaker sound system is nice a mid-levels. At higher volumes it starts to lose it's range.

I may sound like all I'm doing is bashing the Intrigue, this could not be further from the truth. I love this car. I'm just sharing what I have experienced. For every "bad" thing I may have said here, please know that those times were the extreme worst cases or where the car fell short of what I expected. This is not to say it's common, or that it fell short by design. My expectations may just have been higher or even completely out of line whit what GM had in mind with the Intrigue.

I'd buy another one. I wish they were still building them so that I could get a new one in a few years.

Oh well, GM didn't ask me, so there.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st February, 2003

31st Mar 2004, 17:16

Do the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigues, i.e. GL Sedan 3800 V6 have a history of stalling? I am looking at buying a used one, but since I have been driving it for one week now, it has stalled while I am driving down the road? It has 83,000 miles.

Any thoughts as to the problem? Solution?